While UFC 270 was happening, boxing’s first new champion of 2022 was crowned in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
Undefeated Filipino featherweight and Manny Pacquiao protege Mark Magsayo (24-0, 16 KOs) became the new WBC champion with a majority decision win over Gary Russell Jr (31-2, 18 KOs). Russell Jr was boxing’s longest reigning champion in terms of number of years. Russell Jr, of course, has repeatedly only fought once a year since he won the WBC belt in 2015. His number of actual defenses was just five fights, but you get the idea by now.